Locking and ejecting device



y 5, 1947- o. MUELLER 2,420,146

.LOCKING AND EJECTING DEVICE v Filed Sept. 21, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR- 02'2 0 Mae [Zen BY 14, 2114;, 74m,

May 6, 1947. o. MUELLER LOCKING AND EJECTING DEVICE Filed Sept. 21, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y E W 9 8 m w 1 a a /M 4 5 M W p I AXE 5 i4 9., 5, i. z

Patented May 6, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCKING AND EJECTING DEVICE Otto Mueller, Dearborn, Mich.

Application September 21, 1945, Serial No. 617,773

17 Claims.

This invention relates to locking and ejecting devices and particularly to a locking device for securing an element in an aperture, said device being actuated by fluid under pressure to release the lock and to eject the element from the aperture.

The invention is herein illustrated as being applied to a punch of a die set, said punch being retained in a holder by a locking element which is rotated to have a portion project within a recess in the punch. A plunger or piston has a pivoted connection to the rotatable locking element, said plunger being in an opening which communicates with a passageway which leads to the end of the aperture in which the punch is supported. The plunger opening also has a passageway leading to an inlet plug, there being also a passageway from said plug leading directly to the aperture in which the punch is supported, this last named passageway being separate from the other two passageways but in a continuous circuit therewith. When fluid under pressure is applied to the passageway, the plunger is operated to rotate the locking device to move it out of locking engagement with the punch which is thereafter ejected from the aperture by fluid in the passageway which impinges on the end of the punch. A plate supporting the holder may be provided with a passageway having on the end thereof a suitable valve by which the element, through which the fluid under pressure is delivered, is attachable. The punch holder may be provided with a pair of dowels for locating the holder in the plate, one of which may be provided with an aperture communicating with the passageway to the plunger and punch and having means to which the element from which the pressure fluid is delivered may be attached. The use of the appliance has the advantage of making it possible to remove and replace a punch in an assembly employing a stripper plate through which the punch extends. When the die is a large size it would be impossible to release the punch from its holder without disassembling the entire structure from the press and removing the pressure plate therefrom.

While reference is made particularly to a punch, it is to be understood that the locking structure could be employed on other types of tools or devices for locking them in an aperture and for supplying pressure for releasing the looking means and ejecting the element from the holder.

Accordingly, the main objects of the invention are: to provide a holder containing an aperture in which an element is to be locked by a roller having a portion which projects into the aperture and element for retaining it therein and which is rotated to release the element by a plunger or piston actuated by a fluid under pressure which also ejects the element from the aperture after it is unlocked; to provide a holder for a punch having an aperture in which a shank of an element is insertable containing a notch in which a portion of a roller projects for locking the shank therein and which is released by the application of pressure on a plunger or piston which rotates the roller permitting the shank to be ejected from the aperture by the application of the pressure to the end thereof; to provide a punch holder with a dowel having communication with a passageway through which fluid under pressure is delivered to a plunger for releasing a locking element and applying pressure to the end of the released member for ejecting it from the holder; and, in general, to provide a holder for an element having locking and ejecting means therefor which is simple in construction, positive in operation, and economical of manufacture,

Other objects and features of novelty of the invention will be specifically pointed out or will become apparent when referring, for a better understanding of the invention, to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a sectional view of structure illustrated in Fig. 2, taken on the line I-l thereof, showing a locking device of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, taken on the line 2-2 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 2, taken on the line 3-3 thereof;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 2, taken on the line 4-4 thereof;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, taken on the line 5-5 thereof, and

Fig. 6 is a broken view of structure, similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1, showing a modified form of the invention.

Referring to the figures, a locking device for a punch I0 is illustrated embodying a holder [I having an aperture l2 therein in which the shank 13 of the punch is supported. The punch shank is provided with a notch l4 which is disposed adjacent to an aperture IS in the holder II which intersects the aperture l2. One end of the aper- 3 ture is enlarged at I5, as illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. A rotatable locking element I! is disposed within the aperture I5 having an extending arm I8 on one end which projects Within the aperture I6 and is retained therein by a locking ring I9 which extends within an annular groove 2| disposed in the wall of the aperture IS. The opposite end of the locking element I! has an aperture 22 therein f hexagon shape. for receiving an Allen wrench by which the lockin element may be rotated, The portion 23 of the locking element F! is arcuately notched to have the sur; face thereof aligned with the surface of the aperture I2 when rotated to unlocked position to permit the shank I3 of the punch ID to beinserted or removed from the aperture. When rotated to locked position, a portion of the. locking elementprojects within the notch I4 in the shank to. retain it within the aperture I2, as illustrated in F s. v a d A plunger or piston 24' isprovided within the holder I -I havinganotch 25 therein which receives the end 26 of the arm E8; on the end of the looking; element IT. The piston is movable Within an aperture 21' in the holder against; the pressure of a spring 28 containedthe bottom of the aperture. A fluid.- sealing ring 29- may be provided; aboutthe top portion of the piston, as illustrated in Fig. 4-. The passageway 3-I- interconnects the area above the piston 24 and the end of the shank I3 .ofthe punch I. When fluid is dLQliYQ ed under pressure to the piston 24', the piston is deflected; against, the tension; of the spring 2}; to move the end of the arm 26 downwardlizwhich the b a s h ck g e e t I]; and releases the shank I3 which is forced out oi. the aperture I2; by the fluid under pressure wh ch ccmmun catcs, w h n r of and on which a substantial; pressure is, built, up after the ni ton s. act at d,

Ax s. eans e nrqvi ed for directin he fluid into, the passageway 3 I, and herein is illustratcd QQ QI, pin 32 having a passageway- 33 and a slot 34 which communicates through pas sageways 53, and 54, with the passageway 31-. The dowel pin has an internalthread 35 on the end to, Whichan adapter 3 6 may; be attached bythe er as nient, oi. the hread: 31: with the thread 35 onthe dowel pin. line. dap r extends throu an aperture 38' in a stripper plate 39 through which the punch Ifl operates A valve 41- in. the

end, 0 h a ap e sop. atedby ahand1e4z-for connecting a, passageway 41 thereof with an inlet opening 44- or 4.5- D fin ent zes of v ve connectors maybe attached to the inlet openings 44 or 45 through which the fluidis forced through the. valve 41., thepassfigeways 43 and 33, into-the slot 3.4, passaeewaysfi andfikandthe passageway 3|. It will be noted that the connector" 46 is a pe wh ch. s. knownas. an.A1enute3"fittine c hic a o nec ion ismadc e grease gunor othe deuce which.- umes the. fiuirr tnroii nthe fi ttingintothe passageways, It willjhe notedthat the intake opening 44 contains aplug in place ot a scr ize han. he conne tor 6 lustrated in the inlet 45 may be employed-1 in lieu-ofthe pl By employi hcada ersfiy ep n h- 0 maybe remoyed'frpm th holder I I 'without'removing. the holder from; the press or disturbing the stripper plate The-fiuid undenpressure is applied; through the adapterto the top of the piston, 24"and;-th e end'of' the-shank I3 ofthe punch- I il for unlock-ingthe-shankand-eiectingit from the holder.-

In Fig. 6 it will be noted that the passageways 3|, 53 and 54 are connected by a passageway 48 to a fitting 49 applied to the die block 5I to which the holder II is secured. In this arrangement the dowel 32 may be of a solid type, or if the dowel illustrated in Fig. 1 is employed, this may be reversed from end to end in order to have the slot 34 disposed below and out of communication with the. passageway 3I, 53v and 5.4, as illustrated in the figure. 'Ijhe fluid delivering gun or device is attached to the fitting 49 and the fluid under pressure is forced through the passageway 48 to the end of the shank I3 and the piston 24 in the manner referred to hereinabove.

It will be. noted that a plate 52 has been employed above the holder II containing the slots er, 53 and 54:, as. illustrated in Fig. 5, which communicates with the slot 34 in the dowel 32. It is to be understood that the plate could be eliminated by drilling the holes in a solid holder It to produce the passageways 31, 53 and 54 and thereafter plugging the ends 0! the holes in the side wall of the holder- I I to produce the passageways illustrated in Fig. 5-, which is a common practice. Itwill be noted that the valve H is provided with a pair of sealing rings 55 which are similar to the sealing ring 29 of the piston 24 and which are preferably made of neoprene or other resilient, grease on lubricant-resistant material so as toprevent deterioration from contact therewith. Such rings provide a satisfactory and positive seal against the passage of thegrease or other fluid under pressur thereby.

The holder I I and plate 52' have-a pair of apertures 56- in the opposite comersthereof through which screws extend for-securing the holder to thedie block 5-I or the face of'the ram or bed of the press; By having the locking element provided with the hexagon aperture 22', an Allen" wrench. may be employed forrotat'ing the element to unlocked position against the tension of the spring 2@ which urges the piston 24" upwardly for rotating the element into locked position. After the shank I3 has been inserted inthe aperture I*2-, the release of the wrenchpermits spring- 28 to function to rotatethe element into locked position, as illustrated in Figs: 1 and 4. A seconddowel pin- 51is illustrated in'the-opposite cornere f-the holder I-I from that'in. which the dowel pin 32 is mountedtohave the-holder accura-tely located by the pairof diagonally positioned dcwel pins:

Whatis claimedisr 1 A hol'derhaving apunch-receiving aperture and an aperture disposed normal thereto and in intersectingrelatiorrtherewith, a locking barln said-secend aperture'having a recess therein providing a wallportion aligned with the wall" of the punch receiving aperture when in one position, thepunch having a notch for receiving said locking bar whensaid lbcl'cing bar is rotated from said one" positionfor lockingthe'punch" within the" punch-receiving aperture, and fluid means fpr actuating said l'ocking bar to rel'easethe punch and for applying pressure in said punch-receiving aperture thereafter for ejecting the punch therefrom.

for receiving said locking bar when said locking bar is rotated from said one position for locking the punch within the punch-receiving aperture, spring means for otating said locking bar into locking position, and fluid actuated means for rotatin said locking bar from looking position for releasing said shank.

3. A holder having a punch-receiving aperture and an aperture disposed normal thereto and in intersecting relation therewith, a locking bar in said second aperture having a recess therein providing a wall portion aligned with the wall of the punch-receiving aperture when in one position, the shank of a punch which is projectable into said punch-receiving aperture having a notch for receiving said locking bar when said locking bar is rotated from said one position for locking the punch within the punch-receiving aperture, spring means for rotating said locking bar into locking position, and fluid actuated means for H rotating said locking bar from locking position for releasing the punch, said holder having a passage for delivering fluid to the punch-receiving aperture for ejecting the punch when released.

4. A holder having a punch-receiving aperture and an aperture disposed normal thereto and in intersecting relation therewith, a locking bar in said second aperture having a recess therein providing a wall portion aligned with the wall of the punch-receiving aperture when in one position, the shank of a punch which is projectable into said punch-receiving aperture having a notch for receiving said locking bar when said locking bar is rotated from said one position fo locking the punch within the punch-receivin aperture, spring means for rotating said locking bar into locking position, fluid actuated means for rotating said locking bar from looking position for releasing said shank, and dowel pins for accurately locating said holder, one of said dowel pins having a passageway through which fluid is delivered to said locking bar actuating means.

5. A holder having a punch-receiving aperture and an aperture disposed normal thereto and in intersecting relation therewith, a locking bar in said second aperture having a recess therein providing a wall portion aligned with the wall of the punch-receiving aperture when in one position, the shank of a punch which is projectable into said punch-receiving aperture having a notch for receiving said locking bar when said locking bar is rotated from said one position fo locking the punch within the punch-receiving aperture, spring means for rotating said locking bar into locking position, fluid actuated means for rotating said locking bar from locking position for releasing said shank, said holder having a passage for delivering fluid to the punch-receiving aperture for ejecting the punch when released, and dowel pins for accurately locating said holder, one of said dowel pins having a passageway through which fluid is delivered to said locking bar actuating means and to the end of the shank of said punch.

6. A holder having a punch-receiving aperture and an aperture disposed normal thereto and in intersecting relation therewith, a locking bar in said second aperture having a recess therein providing a wall portion aligned with the wall of the punch-receiving aperture when in one position, the shank of a punch which is projectable into said punch-receiving aperture having a notch for receiving said locking bar when said locking bar is rotated from said one position for locking iii) the punch within the punch-receiving aperture, spring means for rotating said locking bar into locking position, fluid actuated means for rotating said locking bar from looking position for releasing said shank, said holder having a passage for delivering fluid to the end of the shank for applying pressure thereto for ejecting the punch when released, and dowel pins for accurately locating said holder, one of said dowel pins having a passageway through which fluid is delivered to said locking bar actuating means and to the punch-receiving aperture, said one dowel pin being reversible end for end to out off the passageway thereof from said locking bar actuating means.

'7. In adevice for locking an element within an aperture including, in combination, a housing containing an aperture for receiving said element and a second aperture disposed normal to said first aperture in intersecting relation therewith, a locking bar disposed in said second aperture having a notch forming a face which is in alignment with the surface of said first aperture when said bar is in one position and which projects into said first aperture in another position, said element containing a notch which is disposed opposite to said notch in the locking bar when inserted in said first aperture, spring means for actuating said locking bar to said other position for lockin said element in said first aperture, and fluid actuated means for operating said looking bar to said one position for releasing said element.

8. In a device for locking an element within an aperture including, in combination, a housing containing an aperture for receiving said element and a second aperture disposed normal to said first aperture in intersecting relation therewith, a locking bar disposed in said second aperture having a notch forming a face which is in alignment with the surface of said first aperture when said bar is in one position and which projects into said first aperture in another position, said element containing a notch which is disposed opposite to said notch in the locking bar when inserted in said first aperture, spring means for actuating said locking bar to said other position for locking said element in said first aperture, and fluid actuated means for operating said locking bar to said one position for releasing said element, said device containing a passageway for directing the fluid to said first aperture for ejecting the element therefrom when the locking bar is operated to unlocked position.

9. In a device for locking an element within an aperture including, in combination, a housing containing an aperture for receiving said element and a second aperture disposed normal to said first aperture in intersecting relation therewith, a locking bar disposed in said second aperture having a notch forming a face which is in alignment with the surface of said first aperture when said bar is in one position and which projects into said first aperture in another position, said element containing a notch which is disposed opposite to said notch in the locking bar when inserted in said first aperture, spring means for actuating said locking bar to said other position for locking said element in said first aperture, fluid actuated means for operating said locking bar to said one position for releasing said element, said device containing a passageway for directing the fluid to said first aperture for ejecting the element therefrom when the locking bar is operated to unlocked position,

ZAQQAQQ adowel. pin for accurately: positioning the, housing having an, aperture therein, and: fluid conduct.- ing means: attachable to said dowel pin for de: livering fluid to said housing; for actuating said locking bar.

10. In a, device for locking an element within an aperture including, in combination, a housing containing an aperture for receiving said element and a. second aperture disposed normal to said first aperture in intersecting relation there with, a locking bar disposed in said second aperturev havinga notch forming at face which is in alignment with the surface of said first, aperture when said bar is in one position and- Which projects into said first aperture in another position, said element containing a notch which is disposed opposite tor said notch in the locking bar when inserted in said. first aperture, spring means for actuating said locking bar to said; other position for locking said element in said first aperture, a lever'arm on said locking bar, and a piston in said housing for engaging and operating said lever arm for rotating said locking bar to unlocked position against the pressure of said spring, said housing containing a passageway through which a fluid under pressure is directed tosaid first aperture.

11:. A locking device for an element disposed in an aperture therein including, in combination, a rotatable. locking bar disengaged from said element when rotated to onev position and locking said element in said device when rotated into a second position, and means for rotatably shifting said locking bar, said means embodying an arm projecting from said locking bar; and a piston engaging said arm.

12. A locking device foran element disposed in an aperture therein including, in combination, a rotatable lockingbar disengagedfrom said, element when rotated to one position and locking said element in said device when rotated into a second position, an arm. projecting from said locking bar, and a piston engaging said arm for actuating said locking bar to locked and unlocked positions.

13. A locking device for an element disposed in an aperture therein including, in combination, a rotatable locking-bar disengaged from said element when rotated to one position and: lock;- ing said element in said device when rotated into a Se o position, an arm projecting. from said locking bar, a piston engaging said arm for actuating said locking bar to. unlocked position, and a spring for actuating said piston and lockil'lg bar into locked position.

14. A locking device for an element disposed in an aperture therein including, in combination, a rotatable locking bar disengaged from said element when rotated to one position and locking said element insaid device when. rotated into a second position, an arm projecting from aid lo king bar, a P ston eng ging aid am ior actuating said locking barto unlocked position, and a spring for actu tin said piston and locking bar into locked position, said device having a passageway for a fluid therein which is directed to the end of the, piston for moving the piston in the direction for actuating the locking bar to unlocked position,

15. A lockingdevice for an element disposed in an aperture therein including, in combination, a rotatable locking bar disengaged from said element when rotated to one position and locking said element in said device when rotated into a second position, an arm projecting from said l ng b r, a pi t n en ag n d arm or ctuatin said lockin bar to unlocked position, and a spring tor actuating said piston and locking bar into locked position, said device having a passageway for a'fiuid therein which is directed to the end of the piston for actuating the locking bar to unlocked position and also directed to. the end of the aperture for ejecting the, element therefrom when released by said locking bar.

16. In a tool holder, locking means for the tool, fluid actuated means for operating said locking means, a dowel pin projected from said holder containing a, passageway for a fluid communicating with the fluid actuatin means, and a fixture. attachable to, said dowel pin for directing a fluid thereinto and to. said locking means for procuring the releasev of said tool.

17. In a, tool holder, locking means for the tool, fl id, actuated means for. operating said locking means, a dowel pin projected from said holder containing a, passageway for a fluid communicating with the fluid actuating means, and a fixture attachable to said dowel pin for directing a fluid thereinto and to said locking means for procuring the release of said tool, said dowel pin being reversible in said holder for closing the passageway for said fluid to said fluid actuated means,

OTTQ MUELLER,

REFERENCES errEn Ihe following references are of record in the file of this patent:-

STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,569,136. Pardee n Jan. 12, 1926 964,416 Fuller July 12, 1910 2,169,921 Mock Aug. 15, 1939 Be. 18,395 Richard Mar. 22, 1932 1,262,185 Drew 1, Apr. 9, 1918 1,809,308 Mueller June 9, 1931 2,320,397 Ross June 1, 1943 2,215,015 Richard Sept. 17, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 630,076 French Aug. 9, 1927 

